LATEST IN NEWS
Padma Bhushan: Ajith Kumar, Arijit Singh Receive Award From President Murmu
Updated on: 28 April, 2025 07:15 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Ajith Kumar Padma Bhushan
The prestigious halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan buzzed with excitement on Monday, April 28, 2025, as President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Awards for the year. This grand ceremony honoured eminent personalities from diverse fields, with several shining stars from the entertainment industry receiving accolades for their outstanding contributions.
Among the notable recipients of the Padma Bhushan, the country`s third-highest civilian award, were:
Superstar Ajith Kumar was a picture of elegance as he received his Padma Bhushan award. Dressed impeccably in a sleek black suit, Ajith accepted the honour from President Droupadi Murmu. Adding to the memorable occasion, his wife Shalini and their children were present, proudly cheering him on – a heartwarming moment captured and widely shared online.
Earlier, upon the announcement of the award, Ajith expressed his deep gratitude. “I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive the esteemed Padma Award by the President of India. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon`ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu and the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, for this prestigious honour," he stated. “It is a privilege to be recognised at such a level, and I am truly grateful for this generous acknowledgement of my contributions to our nation.”
The honour caps a remarkable period for Ajith Kumar in 2025. His cinematic ventures, Vidaamuyarchi and Good Bad Ugly, both received positive responses. Beyond films, his passion for motorsport saw his team, Ajith Kumar Racing, achieve podium finishes internationally, including at Abu Dhabi and the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
Also Read: Good Bad Ugly Movie Review : Ajith is Back and Better Than Ever
Reflecting on his Padma Bhushan, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur shared on X, “What an honour! Am humbled that the Government of India has considered me to be deserving of a #Padmanbhushan. Hopefully this award will make me strive harder to serve the Industry that I am part of, and the beautiful Nation that I am so fortunate to belong to. Thank you also to our film audiences of India, for I am because you are.”
The Padma Awards, announced annually on the eve of Republic Day, celebrate excellence across various fields, including arts, social work, public affairs, science, trade, medicine, literature, education, sports, and civil service, recognising individuals who enrich the nation.
Stars Shine at the Investiture Ceremony
Several leading figures from Indian cinema and music were recognised with the nation`s high civilian honours. President Murmu conferred the awards in a ceremony streamed live for the nation to witness.Among the notable recipients of the Padma Bhushan, the country`s third-highest civilian award, were:
- Actor Nandamuri Balakrishna, who attended dressed in traditional Andhra Pradesh attire.
- Superstar Ajith Kumar.
- Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.
- Actor Anant Nag.
- Dancer-Actor Shobhana.
- Singer Pankaj Udhas was honoured posthumously, with his wife accepting the award on his behalf.
- Ajith Kumar`s Moment of Pride
Superstar Ajith Kumar was a picture of elegance as he received his Padma Bhushan award. Dressed impeccably in a sleek black suit, Ajith accepted the honour from President Droupadi Murmu. Adding to the memorable occasion, his wife Shalini and their children were present, proudly cheering him on – a heartwarming moment captured and widely shared online.
Earlier, upon the announcement of the award, Ajith expressed his deep gratitude. “I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive the esteemed Padma Award by the President of India. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon`ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu and the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, for this prestigious honour," he stated. “It is a privilege to be recognised at such a level, and I am truly grateful for this generous acknowledgement of my contributions to our nation.”
The honour caps a remarkable period for Ajith Kumar in 2025. His cinematic ventures, Vidaamuyarchi and Good Bad Ugly, both received positive responses. Beyond films, his passion for motorsport saw his team, Ajith Kumar Racing, achieve podium finishes internationally, including at Abu Dhabi and the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
Also Read: Good Bad Ugly Movie Review : Ajith is Back and Better Than Ever
Padma Shri Honours for Entertainment Luminaries
The Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, was also presented to several distinguished artists:- Singer Arijit Singh
- Music composer Ricky Gyan Kej
- Actor Ashok Laxman Saraf
- Acting coach Barry Godfray John
- Singer Jaspinder Narula
- Vocalist Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande
- Folk singer Bheru Singh Chouhan
- Devotional singer Harjinder Singh Srinagar Wale
- Folk musician Joynacharan Bathari
- Classical singer K Omanakutty Amma
- Singer Mahabir Nayak
- Actor Mamata Shankar
Reflecting on his Padma Bhushan, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur shared on X, “What an honour! Am humbled that the Government of India has considered me to be deserving of a #Padmanbhushan. Hopefully this award will make me strive harder to serve the Industry that I am part of, and the beautiful Nation that I am so fortunate to belong to. Thank you also to our film audiences of India, for I am because you are.”
The Padma Awards, announced annually on the eve of Republic Day, celebrate excellence across various fields, including arts, social work, public affairs, science, trade, medicine, literature, education, sports, and civil service, recognising individuals who enrich the nation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Do you think the T20 tournament should be suspended amid India-Pak tensions?
ADVERTISEMENT
